Configurable electrical outlet cover enclosure

ABSTRACT

An electrical outlet cover with a lid having a configurable protrusion or recess to accommodate different uses and weather resistance states. The electrical outlet cover includes a base coupled to an electrical outlet and a lid hingedly coupled to the base along a first side. The lid includes a frame with a central aperture and a telescoping enclosure with a flange at a front edge of a sleeve, the flange extending outward from the sleeve. The sleeve may include a ledge extending outward from the sleeve adjacent a back edge of the sleeve on at least two sides of the sleeve. The sleeve is slidably coupled within the central aperture and movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The flange may abut the frame in the collapsed position and the ledge may abut the frame in the expanded position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 15/265,837 entitled “Configurable Electrical OutletCover Enclosure” to Jeffrey P. Baldwin that was filed on Sep. 14, 2016and issues as U.S. Pat. No. 9,935,436 on Apr. 3, 2018, which applicationclaims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication 62/218,374 entitled “Configurable Enclosure” to Jeffrey P.Baldwin that was filed on Sep. 14, 2015, the contents of which arehereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

Aspects of this document relate generally to configurable enclosures tocover an electrical outlet.

2. Background Art

Outlet covers are used on exterior electrical outlets to reduce orprevent water, dirt, or other contaminants from entering the electricaloutlet. Outlet covers for the exterior of buildings are typically largeand boxy because they have sufficient space to allow one or more powerplugs to plug into sockets while the outlet cover is closed. Many outletcovers may be attached to electrical outlets that are rarely used. Aneed exists for outlet covers that can collapse or be configured to takeup less space.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this document relate to electrical outlet covers. Theseaspects may comprise, and implementations may include, one or more orall of the components and steps set forth in the appended claims, whichare hereby incorporated by reference. In one aspect, a cover for anelectrical outlet may comprise a base configured to couple to anelectrical outlet, a lid hingedly coupled to the base along a first sideand pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lidcomprising a frame comprising a central aperture, a telescopingenclosure comprising a flange at a front edge of a sleeve, the flangeextending outward from the sleeve, the sleeve comprising a ledgeextending outward from the sleeve adjacent a back edge of the sleeve onat least two sides of the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is slidably coupledwithin the central aperture and movable between an expanded position anda collapsed position, the flange abutting a front surface of the framein the collapsed position, the ledge abutting the frame in the expandedposition, a latch assembly comprising a first latch member affixed tothe base and a second latch member affixed to the frame, and an apertureextending through the base sized large enough to receive a portion of anelectrical device therethrough.

Particular embodiments and implementations may comprise one or more ofthe following features. An annular snap-fit fastener assembly comprisinga ridge on the frame and at least one protrusion on the sleeve, theridge encircling at least a portion of the central aperture, wherein theat least one protrusion traverses the ridge when moving the telescopingenclosure from the collapsed position to the expanded position. The backedge of the sleeve may abut the base in the collapsed position. Asealing ridge facing the lid and aligned with the sleeve, wherein theback edge of the sleeve abuts the base when the telescoping enclosure isin the collapsed position by abutting the base at a seat adjacent thesealing ridge. A foot assembly attached at a back portion of the sleeve,wherein the ledge is an upper surface of the foot assembly, the backedge of the sleeve is a bottom surface of the foot assembly opposite thetop surface of the foot assembly, and the back edge of the sleeve abutsthe base in the collapsed position. At least one runner on each of atleast two opposing sides of the sleeve, and a plurality of separatechannels in the frame adjacent the central aperture, each separatechannel being slidably coupled to a separate one of the at least onerunners, wherein each runner is short enough that when the telescopingenclosure is in the expanded position, each runner is not positioned inthe channel. A cord port, and a cord port door sized and shaped tocouple to the cord port, wherein the sleeve restricts passage of waterinto an interior of the sleeve when the cord port door is removed fromthe cord port and the telescoping enclosure is in the collapsed positionby abutting the back edge of the sleeve to the base. A base lockingaperture extending through the base and positioned in alignment withboth a frame locking aperture extending through the frame and anenclosure locking aperture extending through the telescoping enclosure.

According to another aspect, a cover for an electrical outlet maycomprise a base configured to couple to an electrical outlet, a lidhingedly coupled to the base along a first side and pivotable between anopen position and a closed position, the lid comprising a framecomprising a central aperture a telescoping enclosure comprising asleeve, the sleeve comprising a ledge extending outward from the sleeveadjacent a back edge of the sleeve on at least two sides of the sleeve,wherein the sleeve is slidably coupled within the central aperture andmovable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, the backedge of the sleeve abutting the base in the collapsed position, theledge abutting the frame in the expanded position, a latch assemblycomprising a first latch member affixed to the base and a second latchmember affixed to the frame, and an aperture extending through the basesized large enough to receive a portion of an electrical devicetherethrough.

Particular implementations or embodiments of the disclosure may compriseone or more of the following features. A flange at a front edge of thesleeve, the flange extending outward from the sleeve, wherein the flangeabuts the frame in the collapsed position. A base locking apertureextending through the base positioned in alignment with both a framelocking aperture extending through the frame and an enclosure lockingaperture extending through the telescoping enclosure. A cord port, and acord port door sized and shaped to couple to the cord port, wherein thesleeve restricts passage of water into an interior of the sleeve whenthe cord port door is removed from the cord port and the telescopingenclosure is in the collapsed position by abutting the back edge of thesleeve to the base. A foot assembly attached at a back portion of thesleeve, wherein the ledge is an upper surface of the foot assembly, theback edge of the sleeve is a bottom surface of the foot assemblyopposite the top surface of the foot assembly, and the back edge of thesleeve abuts the base in the collapsed position. A sealing ridge facingthe lid and aligned with the sleeve, wherein the back edge of the sleeveabuts the base in the collapsed position by abutting the base at a seatadjacent the sealing ridge. At least one runner on each of at least twoopposing sides of the sleeve, and a plurality of separate channels inthe frame adjacent the central aperture, each separate channel beingslidably coupled to a separate one of the at least one runners, whereineach runner is short enough that when the telescoping enclosure is inthe expanded position, each runner is not positioned in the channel. Anannular snap-fit fastener assembly comprising a ridge on the frame andat least one protrusion on the sleeve, the ridge encircling at least aportion of the central aperture, wherein the at least one protrusiontraverses the ridge when moving from the collapsed position to theexpanded position. The back edge of the sleeve may abut the base in thecollapsed position.

According to another aspect, a cover for an electrical outlet maycomprise a base configured to couple to an electrical outlet, a lidhingedly coupled to the base along a first side and pivotable between anopen position and a closed position, the lid comprising a framecomprising a central aperture, an enclosure having a protruding bubbleprotruding outward from the frame in a first position and protrudingtowards the base in a second position, the bubble being rotated by 180°in at least one direction to move from the first position to the secondposition, a latch assembly comprising a first latch member affixed tothe base and a second latch member affixed to the frame, and an apertureextending through the base sized large enough to receive a portion of anelectrical device therethrough.

Particular implementations and embodiments may comprise one or more ofthe following features. The lid may be hingedly coupled to the base in afirst orientation with the lid closed on the base when the bubble is inthe first position, and the lid is hingedly coupled to the base in asecond orientation different from the first orientation with the lidclosed on the base and the bubble extending into the base when thebubble is in the second position. The first position may permit a powercord to couple to the electrical outlet and the second position mayrestrict the power cord from coupling to the electrical outlet.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, applications, and advantageswill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from thespecification, drawings, and the claims. Unless specifically noted, itis intended that the words and phrases in the specification and theclaims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning to thoseof ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fully awarethat he can be his own lexicographer if desired. The inventors expresslyelect, as their own lexicographers, to use only the plain and ordinarymeaning of terms in the specification and claims unless they clearlystate otherwise and then further, expressly set forth the “special”definition of that term and explain how it differs from the plain andordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements of intent to apply a“special” definition, it is the inventors' intent and desire that thesimple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms be applied to theinterpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar.Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be furthercharacterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term,or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptiveterms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts ofEnglish grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms,or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases begiven their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in theapplicable arts as set forth above.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the specification,drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements, and:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an outlet cover assembly in,respectively, closed collapsed and closed extended positions;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outlet cover of FIG. 1 in an openposition with the cover collapsed;

FIG. 4A is a front view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4B is a break out view of the section 4B on FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 1 in anopen position with the cover expanded;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the outlet cover assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 1 in,respectively, closed collapsed and closed extended positions;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 1 shownmounted on a wall;

FIG. 10 is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 1, notmounted on a wall;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of FIG. 9, with the section taken alongsection lines 11-11;

FIG. 12A is a sectional view of FIG. 10, with the section taken alongsection lines 12-12;

FIGS. 12B and 12C are break out views of, respectively, sections 12B and12C on FIG. 12A;

FIG. 13 is a rear view of a lid portion of the outlet cover assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an outlet cover assembly configuredaccording to an embodiment of a second approach in a closed collapsedposition;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 15with the lid in a closed expanded position;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views the outlet cover assembly of FIG.15 with the lid in, respectively, an open collapsed position and an openexpanded position;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the outlet cover assembly ofFIG. 15;

FIGS. 20 and 21 are, respectively, side views of the outlet coverassembly of FIG. 15 in, respectively, the closed collapsed position andthe closed expanded position;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 15 with thelid in its open collapsed position;

FIG. 23 is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 15 shownmounted on a wall;

FIG. 24 is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 15, notmounted on a wall;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of FIG. 23, with the section taken alongsection lines 25-25;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of FIG. 24, with the section taken alongsection lines 26-26;

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of an outlet cover assembly witha frame and a removable bubble that seats on the frame;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 27 inthe closed protruding position;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 27 inthe open protruding position;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 27 inthe closed receding position;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 27 inthe open receding position;

FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of an outlet cover assembly witha reversible two-hinged lid mounted in a vertical orientation;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32 inthe closed protruding position;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32 inthe open protruding position;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32 inthe closed receding position;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32 inthe open receding position;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the closedprotruding position;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the openprotruding position;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the closedreceding position;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 32but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the openreceding position;

FIG. 41A is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 33;

FIG. 41B is a first side view of FIG. 41A;

FIG. 41C is a second side view of FIG. 41A;

FIG. 41D is a sectional view of FIG. 41A;

FIG. 41E is a sectional view of FIG. 41A;

FIG. 42A is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 35;

FIG. 42B is a first side view of FIG. 42A;

FIG. 42C is a second side view of FIG. 42A;

FIG. 42D is a third side view of FIG. 42A;

FIG. 42E is a sectional view of FIG. 42A;

FIG. 42F is a sectional view of FIG. 42A;

FIG. 43A is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 37;

FIG. 43B is a first side view of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 43C is a second side view of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 43D is a third side view of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 43E is a sectional view of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 43F is a sectional view of FIG. 43A;

FIG. 44A is a front view of an outlet cover assembly of FIG. 39;

FIG. 44B is a first side view of FIG. 44A;

FIG. 44C is a second side view of FIG. 44A;

FIG. 44D is a third side view of FIG. 44A;

FIG. 44E is a sectional view of FIG. 44A;

FIG. 44F is a sectional view of FIG. 44A;

FIG. 45 is an exploded perspective view of an outlet cover assembly withbubble removable from a frame;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45assembled in a vertical orientation with the bubble and lid in theclosed protruding position;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45 inthe open protruding position;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45 inthe closed receding position;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45 inthe open receding position;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the closedprotruding position;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the openprotruding position;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the closedreceding position; and

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the outlet cover assembly of FIG. 45but mounted in a horizontal orientation with the lid in the openreceding position.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of implementations.

DESCRIPTION

This document features a cover for an electrical outlet. There are manyfeatures of an outlet cover and method implementations disclosed herein,of which one, a plurality, or all features or steps may be used in anyparticular implementation.

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustrationpossible implementations. It is to be understood that otherimplementations may be utilized, and structural, as well as procedural,changes may be made without departing from the scope of this document.As a matter of convenience, various components will be described usingexemplary materials, sizes, shapes, dimensions, and the like. However,this document is not limited to the stated examples and otherconfigurations are possible and within the teachings of the presentdisclosure. As will become apparent, changes may be made in the functionand/or arrangement of any of the elements described in the disclosedexemplary implementations without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis disclosure.

FIGS. 1-6 depict various views of a non-limiting implementation of acover for an electrical outlet. An example of an electrical outlet coveraccording to a first approach described herein and generally shown inFIGS. 1-14. Although the particular material from which this outletcover 101 is formed is not critical to the outlet cover 101, and anymaterials known in the art that electrical outlet covers are formed fromwill suffice, this particular approach is particularly useful whenmanufacturing the cover of plastic commonly used for manufacturingelectrical outlet covers. A second approach, illustrated in FIGS. 15-26,is more conducive and useful to manufacturing from metal. Outlet cover101 includes a base 110 hingedly coupled to a lid 119 (e.g., using hingeassembly 120). The lid 119 includes at least a frame 130. Outlet cover100 may be attached to an electrical outlet by screwing a screw into boxmounting screw holes 114 (FIG. 4A), which attaches outlet cover 101 toan electrical box housing an electrical outlet. A wall plate 190 may beattached to the electrical box or the electrical outlet. The lid 119 maybe pivotally lifted from the base 110 to change from a closed position(as in FIGS. 1 and 2) to an open position (as in FIGS. 3 and 5). In theclosed position, a latch assembly 180 may lock the lid 119 to the base110. In the closed position 109, a locking assembly 170 allows a lock orother locking device to be threaded through the locking assembly 170.Further description of this locking assembly 170 is provided below.

The base 110 of outlet cover 100 may include one or more cord ports 116.A cord port door 117 is removably coupled to each cord port 116. Thecord port 116 operates to allow a power cord 119 to enter the outletcover 100 and couple to the electrical outlet. The base 110 includes anoutlet aperture 115 to allow the electrical outlet to be accessiblethrough the outlet cover 100. The base 110 may include an insert 113(FIG. 4A) that allows a variety of different types of electrical outletsto mate with a single type of outlet cover 100. A seal 192 (e.g., a foamseal as in FIG. 11) may protect the base from water and weather by beingsandwiched between the back of the base 110 and the adjacent wall orwall plate 190.

A hinge assembly 120 of outlet cover 100 hingedly couples the base 110to the lid 119. The hinge assembly 120 includes a first hinge member 121and a second hinge member 122. The hinge assembly 120 may be heldtogether by threading a pin 124 into pin aperture 123 and threading thepin 124 through both the first hinge member 121 and the second hingemember 122. The base may include a trough 118 or similar structure tomate with the lid 119 in a tortuous path that resists the passage ofwater and dirt when in the closed position.

A locking assembly 170 of outlet cover 100 allows a user to lock or tieoff at least two of: the base 110, the frame 130, and a telescopingenclosure 140. An enclosure locking aperture 171 is aligned with both aframe locking aperture 172 and a base locking aperture 173. At least twoof apertures 171, 172, and 173 may be positioned in proximity to eachother and a locking device may be threaded through the apertures to lockthe elements together.

A latch assembly 180 of outlet cover 100 allows the lid 119 toreleasably lock to the base 110. The latch assembly 180 mayautomatically lock when lid 119 is in a closed position 109. The latchassembly 180 may include a lid latch member 181 and a base latch member182. The latch assembly 180 may be a variety of fasteners, couplers,latches, or the like (e.g., a cantilevered snap-fit latch).

Referring specifically to FIGS. 4-14, outlet cover 101 includes atelescoping enclosure 140 housed within a central aperture 131 of theframe 130. The telescoping enclosure 140 includes an enclosure frontwall 142, a sleeve 145 that slides within the central aperture 131between an expanded position (as in FIGS. 5, 8, 11 and 14) and acollapsed position (as in FIGS. 4, 7 and 12A). In the expanded position,the telescoping enclosure 140 may be held in place in the expandedposition by way of couplings, fasteners, and/or friction between thesleeve 145 and the central aperture 131. Various fasteners can hold thetelescoping enclosure 140 in the expanded position, such as: snap-fitfasteners, latches, couplers, magnets, or the like. In some embodiments,the frame 130 has a flexible ring 133 with a ridge 132 that mates with aplurality of protrusions 147 on the sleeve 145 so that the protrusions147 and ridge 132 operate together as an annular snap-fit fastener tohold the telescoping enclosure 140 in the expanded position 148. Thus,sliding sleeve 145 from the collapsed position into the expandedposition causes the protrusions 147 to traverse the ridge 132, therebysnap-fitting the telescoping enclosure 140 in the expanded position.

The telescoping enclosure 140 slides between the collapsed position andthe expanded position without falling out of the frame 130. The sleeve145 may include a plurality of ledges 146 near a back portion of thesleeve 145. The ledges 146 increase the diameter of the sleeve 145 to belarger than the central aperture 131, which causes the ledges 146 tocatch on the frame 130 and stop outward sliding movement. Thus, one ormore ledges 146 may be abutting the frame 130 in the expanded position.In addition, protrusions 147 may be snap-fit with ridge 132 in theexpanded position. The flexible ring 133 may have sufficient frictionagainst the sleeve 145 to restrict water from entering the outlet cover101 when in the expanded position.

Sometimes a user may lose or discard the cord port door 117, which mayallow water or dirt to enter the outlet cover 101 unless another elementblocks the water and dirt from entering. The telescoping enclosure 140positioned in the collapsed position (see FIG. 12A) helps restrict waterand dirt from entering the outlet cover 101. In some embodiments,telescoping enclosure 140 may include a flange 141 (or anotherprotrusion or lip) that abuts the frame 130 when in the collapsedposition 149. The shape of the frame 130 and the flange 141 create asignificant obstruction to water and dirt. In certain embodiments, thetelescoping enclosure 140 may seat into the base 110 when in thecollapsed position. A back edge 151 (FIG. 4A) of the sleeve 145 seatsagainst or abuts the base when in the collapsed position. The back edge151 may seat in a valley 91 near at least one ridge (e.g., next to ridge90, between ridge 90 and outer ridge 92, or the like). Back edge 151seated proximate ridge 90 of the base 110 helps restrict water and dirtfrom entering and contacting the electrical outlet, and may form atortuous path for any water or dirt attempting to enter. This beneficialbarrier to contaminants entering the enclosure even when the cord portsare open is particularly advantageous. One significant benefit of havingthe back edge 151 abutting the base 110 is that it doesn't matter if acord port door 117 is missing because positioning the telescopingenclosure 140 in the collapsed position forms an inner barrier againstwater and dirt. Thus, water can enter an open cord port 116 and besubstantially or entirely blocked from reaching the electrical outlet115 by a telescoping enclosure 140 in the collapsed position.

FIGS. 15-26 depict various views of a non-limiting implementation of acover for an electrical outlet. An electrical outlet cover 101 may beformed according to the second approach described herein and generallyshown in FIGS. 15-26. Although the particular materials with which thissecond approach is manufactured is not critical to the operation of thecover and may be formed of plastic or metal or any other materials knownin the formation of electrical outlet covers, this approach isparticularly advantageous for electrical outlet covers manufactured ofmetal. Outlet cover 102 is similarly structured to outlet cover 101 inthe previous approach, with differences discussed below.

Outlet cover 102 may include a latch assembly 160 that includes a hitchseat 161 (FIG. 17) that mates with the frame 130, for example matingwith frame 130 at cutout 162 (FIG. 22). Latch assembly 160 operates byemploying a hinge assembly 120 with a pin 124 where there is sufficientvertical movement or “play” for the lid hinge so that when verticallymoving the lid 119 in its closed position (FIG. 15 or 16) against thebase 110, the cutout 162 unseats from the hitch seat 161 so that the lid119 can then be pivoted forward to pass over the latch assembly 160 toallow the lid 119 to continue to be lifted into the open position (FIG.17 or 18).

Flange 141 of the telescoping enclosure 140 may have a variety of shapesand sizes. For example, the flange 141 depicted in FIGS. 15-26 has adifferent shape than the flange 141 depicted in FIGS. 1-14, but bothflanges 141 may serve the same purpose and function. It follows thatflange 141 of outlet cover 102 also abuts the frame 130 in the collapsedposition (FIGS. 17 and 20).

Sleeve 145 may also include a foot assembly 153 (FIG. 17) attached to aback portion of the sleeve. The base of the foot assembly 153 thusbecomes the back edge 151 of the sleeve 145. That is, when the sleeve145 seats down into the base 110 in the collapsed position (see FIG.26), the back edge 151 of the sleeve 145 is the underside of the footassembly 153. In addition, the top surface of the foot assembly 153 islabeled as ledge 146 because this top surface of the foot assembly 153now operates as ledge 146 in outlet cover 102. Thus, foot assembly 153abuts the frame 130 when the ledge 146 abuts the frame 130 to stop thetelescoping enclosure 140 from entirely sliding out of the centralaperture 131 in the extended position 148. The ledge 146 may also helpform a tortuous path with the frame 130 to restrict entry of water ordirt. The foot assembly 153 may have cavities and a diameter configuredto seal or restrict contaminants between the frame 130 and/or the base110.

Sleeve 145 may include runners 155 that help support the telescopingenclosure 140 within the frame 130 as the runners 155 (FIGS. 19 and 21)slide through channels 156 in the frame 130. The length of the runners155 may be short enough to allow the telescoping enclosure 140 toslightly fall or slip down when in the extended position 148 (see FIG.21). This ability to fall or slip down operates to lock the telescopingenclosure 140 in the extended position because a user would need to liftthe telescoping enclosure 140 and re-insert the runners 155 into thechannels 156 to slide the telescoping enclosure back to the collapsedposition. It also assists in locking the telescoping enclosure 140 inthe collapsed position for the same reasons.

Each of the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 27-53 includes a cover for anelectrical outlet that has a base with an opening large enough toreceive a portion of an electrical device therein, a lid hingedlycoupled to the base on one side that can pivot between an open positionand a closed position. For each embodiment, the lid of the assemblyincludes a frame surrounding a central aperture in the frame, with abubble protruding outward from the frame. For the bubble, by nature ofeither the lid as a whole or the bubble by itself in relation to theframe, being in a first position, the bubble protrudes outward, awayfrom the base to allow space within the cover assembly in the closedposition so that a plug can be plugged into an electrical outlet and thecover closed without interference. When the lid as a whole or the bubbleitself in relation to the frame results in the bubble being in a secondposition, by rotating the bubble 180 degrees in at least one direction,the bubble recedes inward toward the base and when the lid is placed ina closed position the bubble extends into the base. By the bubble havingboth a first position and a second position in which the bubble canattach to the outlet cover assembly and in the first position it allowsfor use of the assembly as a weatherproof outlet cover and in the secondposition it is more compact, blocks the outlet receptacle from use andstill closes, the outlet cover assembly provides significant advantageover conventional bubble covers.

FIGS. 27-31 depict various views of a non-limiting implementation of acover 103 for an electrical outlet. This embodiment shares numeroussimilarities with the previous two embodiments, but the previous twoembodiments differ from this embodiment and the two embodimentsfollowing this one by employing a reversible bubble assembly 220 ratherthan a telescoping enclosure 140. The bubble assembly 220 of outletcovers 103, 104 and 105 can be positioned in a protruding position (see,e.g., FIGS. 28 and 29) and a receding position (see, e.g., FIGS. 30 and31) rather than an expanded position and a collapsed position as withthe telescoping enclosure 140. Each lid 119 in outlet covers 103, 104and 105 may be arranged in an open position (see, e.g., FIGS. 29 and 31)or a closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 28 and 30), which may lookdifferent than previously described outlet covers 101 and 102 if twohinge assemblies 120 are employed, but the operation is generally thesame as described above.

As shown in FIG. 27, an outlet cover 103 includes a lid 119 with adetachable and reversible bubble assembly 220. A bottom edge of thebubble assembly 220 includes a lip 236 that seats into slot 235 ineither a protruding position (see FIGS. 28 and 29) or in a recedingposition (see FIGS. 30 and 31). A clip assembly 230 on the frame clipson to the bubble assembly 220. The clip assembly 230 may be acantilevered snap-fit fastener with a clip 232 that grasps onto a catch231P (resulting in bubble assembly 220 in a protruding position) or ontoa catch 231R (resulting in bubble assembly 220 in a receding position).The bubble assembly 220 may switch between the protruding position andthe receding position by simply releasing the clip assembly 230,removing the bubble assembly 220 from the slot 235, rotating the bubbleassembly by 180° around the long central axis, re-seating the lip 236into the slot 235, and then attaching clip assembly 230 to either catch231R (for receding position) or catch 231P (for protruding position). Byconfiguring the lid frame to receive the bubble cover in either of thefirst position or the second position, the cover assembly structure issimplified in that cord port covers for the cord ports 116 may not berequired. The bubble 225 oriented in the second position (FIGS. 30-31)protects the electrical outlet and acts as at least a partial barrieragainst water and other contaminants.

In some embodiments, hinge assembly 120 includes a hinge bias member126, such as a spring, torsion member, or the like. Although notdepicted in FIGS. 27-31, the hinge assembly 120 may be positioned on along edge of the lid 119 and base 110 rather than a short edge (asshown), or, like other embodiments in this disclosure, two hingeassemblies 120 on adjacent sides of the lid and base may be provided.

FIGS. 32-44 depict various views of a non-limiting embodiment of a cover104 for an electrical outlet. The bubble assembly 220 of the outletcover 104 can be oriented in a protruding position (see, e.g., FIGS. 33and 34) or in a receding position (see, e.g., FIGS. 35 and 36). Lid 119of outlet cover 104 may be pivoted to an open position (see, e.g., FIGS.34 and 36) or to a closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 33 and 35) oneither of two hinged axes when two hinge assemblies 120 are employed.The general operation and components of an electrical outlet cover ofthis embodiment is, nevertheless, similar to that described in otherembodiments of this disclosure. While not all of the disclosed outletcovers are displayed in this way, any of outlets covers 101, 102, 103,104, or 105 may be oriented on a wall or wall plate 190 in either a“portrait” or “vertical” orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 33-36) or a“landscape” or “horizontal” orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 37-40).

In this particular embodiment, an outlet cover 104 includes a frame 130,a lid 119, and a bubble assembly 220 that may be combined to form anelectrical outlet cover assembly. The outlet cover 104 of thisparticular embodiment comprises two hinge assemblies 120—a first hingeassembly 120L on a long side of the base 110 and lid 119, and a secondhinge assembly 120S on a short side of the base 110 and lid 119. Pin 124may be removed from either hinge assembly 120S or 120L to allow lid 119to be rotated into various configurations. The pin 124 inserted in hingeassembly 120S configures outlet cover 104 to open in a “portrait”orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 33-36). The pin 124 inserted in hingeassembly 120L configures outlet cover 104 to open in a “landscape”orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 37-40).

For example, the lid 119 and bubble assembly 220 may switch between theprotruding position and the receding position in a “portrait”orientation by simply removing the pin 124 from hinge assembly 120S,separating hinge members 121S and 122S, rotating the bubble assembly 220by 180° around the long central axis, re-joining hinge members 121S and122S, and then replacing the pin 124 into hinge assembly 120S.

FIGS. 41A-E depict a “portrait” orientation opening outlet cover 104with the bubble assembly 220 in a protruding position so that the bubbleportion of the bubble assembly extends away from the base. FIGS. 42A-Fdepict a “portrait” orientation opening outlet cover 104 with the bubbleassembly 220 in a receding position so that the bubble portion of thebubble assembly extends toward and into the base. FIGS. 43A-F depict a“landscape” orientation opening the outlet cover 104 with the bubbleassembly 220 in a protruding position. FIGS. 44A-F depict a “landscape”orientation opening the outlet cover 104 with the bubble assembly 220 ina receding position.

It is particular to note that the hinge assemblies are constructed suchthat the lid hinge members and the base hinge members can mate with thebubble assembly 220 in either the protruding position or the recedingposition. By extending the base hinge members away from the base withhinge member arms, and by establishing the lid hinge members so thatthere is an unimpeded portion so that the lid can close on the base inboth the protruding position and in the receding position withoutinterference from any portion of the base. The bubble assembly 220 mayswitch between the protruding position and the receding position bysimply removing the hinge pin 124, removing the bubble assembly 220 fromthe base, rotating the bubble assembly by 180° around the long centralaxis or the short central axis (depending upon whether the user wantsthe cover to be oriented horizontally or vertically and reattaching thehinge pin 124. By configuring the base to receive attachment of thebubble assembly 220 in either a protruding position or a recedingposition, the cover assembly structure is simplified in that cord portcovers for the cord ports 116 may not be required. The bubble orientedin the receding position protects the electrical outlet and acts as atleast a partial barrier against water and other contaminants.

FIGS. 45-53 depict various views of a non-limiting implementation of acover 105 for an electrical outlet. The bubble assembly 220 of outletcover 105 can be positioned in a protruding position (see, e.g., FIGS.46 and 47) and a receding position (see, e.g., FIGS. 48 and 49) ratherthan an expanded position and a collapsed position as with a telescopingenclosure illustrated in the first two embodiments of this disclosure.The lid 119 of the outlet cover 105 may be in an open position (see,e.g., FIGS. 47 and 49) or a closed position (see, e.g., FIGS. 46 and48), and may comprise one or two two hinge assemblies, but the operationis generally the same as described above in relation to the first twoembodiments of this disclosure. While not all of the disclosed outletcovers are displayed in this way, any of outlet covers 101, 102, 103,104, or 105 may be oriented on a wall or wall plate 190 in either a“portrait” or “vertical” orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 46-49) or a“landscape” or “horizontal” orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 50-53).

In outlet cover 105, the lid 119 includes a detachable and reversiblebubble assembly 220. A bottom edge of the frame 130 includes a gate 260that may be removably attached to the frame 130 to allow the bubbleassembly 220 to slide into and out of a track 262. Bubble assembly 220may include a flange 264 sized and shaped to slidably mate with track262 and form a water resistant barrier. Flange 264 of the bubbleassembly 220, if used, slidably fits within track 262 in either theprotruding position or in the receding position (by rotating the bubbleassembly 220 axially 180°). The gate 260 releasably couples or fastensto the frame 130 using snap-fit couplings or other suitable couplings.

The bubble assembly 220 may switch between the protruding position(FIGS. 46-47 and 50-51) and the receding position (FIGS. 48-49 and52-53) by removing the gate 260, removing the bubble assembly 220 fromthe track 262, rotating the bubble assembly by 180° around either thelong central axis or the short central axis, reinserting the bubbleassembly 220 into the track 262, and then reattaching the gate 260 tothe frame 130. By configuring the lid frame to receive the bubble coverin either of the first position or the second position, the coverassembly structure is simplified in that cord port covers for the cordports 116 may not be required. The bubble assembly 220 oriented in thesecond position (FIGS. 48-49 and 52-53) protects the electrical outletand acts as at least a partial barrier against water and othercontaminants.

It will be understood that outlet cover implementations are not limitedto the specific assemblies, devices and components disclosed in thisdocument, as virtually any assemblies, devices and components consistentwith the intended operation of an outlet cover implementation may beutilized. Accordingly, for example, although particular outlet covers,lids, sleeves, latches, snap-fit couplers, hinges, frames, enclosures,bubble covers, housings, joints, protrusions, ledges, clamps, grooves,ridges, couplers, fasteners, power sockets, and other assemblies,devices and components are disclosed, such may include any shape, size,style, type, model, version, class, measurement, concentration,material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intendedoperation of an outlet cover implementation. Implementations are notlimited to uses of any specific assemblies, devices and components;provided that the assemblies, devices and components selected areconsistent with the intended operation of an outlet coverimplementation.

Accordingly, the components defining any outlet cover implementationsmay be formed of any of many different types of materials orcombinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objectsprovided that the components selected are consistent with the intendedoperation of an outlet cover implementation. For example, the componentsmay be formed of: polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS,Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene,Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, PhenolicResin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), anycombination thereof, and/or other like materials; glasses (such asquartz glass), carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof,and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials;metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, lead, iron, steel,carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, brass, tin,antimony, pure aluminum, 1100 aluminum, aluminum alloy, any combinationthereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy,titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof,and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or anycombination of the foregoing thereof.

For the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, sizing, dimensions, andangles of outlet cover implementations may vary according to differentimplementations.

Various outlet cover implementations may be manufactured usingconventional procedures as added to and improved upon through theprocedures described here. Some components defining outlet coverimplementations may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joinedwith one another, while other components may be purchasedpre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled with theintegral components. Various implementations may be manufactured usingconventional procedures as added to and improved upon through theprocedures described here.

Accordingly, manufacture of these components separately orsimultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming,injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting,forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding,stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting,punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components aremanufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another inany manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, anut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, anycombination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, amongother considerations, the particular material forming the components.

It will be understood that the assembly of outlet covers are not limitedto the specific order of steps as disclosed in this document. Any stepsor sequence of steps of the assembly of outlet covers indicated hereinare given as examples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not aslimitations, since various assembly processes and sequences of steps maybe used to assemble outlet covers.

The outlet cover implementations are described being used to configure alid in various protruding, expanded, receding, or collapsed positions.Nevertheless, implementations are not limited to uses relating to theforegoing. Rather, any description relating to the foregoing is for theexemplary purposes of this disclosure, and implementations may also beused with similar results for a variety of other applications requiringa configurable outlet cover. For example, implementations may be used toadjustably position an outlet cover to, for example: reduce the size forshipping, house ancillary parts in a cavity, winterize an outlet cover,and so on.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover for an electrical outlet, comprising: abase configured to couple to an electrical outlet; a lid hingedlycoupled to the base along a first side of the lid and pivotable betweenan open position and a closed position, the lid comprising: a framecomprising a central aperture surrounded by the frame; an enclosurecoupled to the frame and extending through the central aperture of theframe, the enclosure comprising a continuous enclosure wall surroundingthe enclosure and an enclosure front wall contiguous with the enclosurewall and enclosing a front side of the enclosure, wherein the enclosureis linearly movable relative to the frame between a collapsed,not-in-use position and an extended, in-use position, wherein theenclosure wall is in contact with the frame throughout its movement, theenclosure comprising a ledge extending outward from the enclosure walladjacent a back edge of the enclosure wall; a base locking apertureextending through the base at an edge of the base and a lid lockingaperture extending through the frame at an edge of the frame, whereinthe lid locking aperture is aligned with the base locking aperture whenthe lid is in its closed position; and an aperture extending through andsurrounded by the base, the aperture sized large enough to receive aportion of an electrical device therethrough.
 2. The cover of claim 1,wherein a size of a perimeter of the frame is greater than a size of aperimeter of the base so that the edge of the frame overlaps the edge ofthe base.
 3. A cover for an electrical outlet, comprising: a baseconfigured to couple to an electrical outlet; only one lid framehingedly coupled to the base along a first side of the lid frame andpivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid framecomprising a central aperture; one enclosure movably coupled to theframe within the central aperture and linearly movable within the lidframe between a collapsed, not-in-use position and an extended, in-useposition, wherein the enclosure comprises an enclosure side wallsurrounding the enclosure and an enclosure front wall enclosing thefront side of the enclosure, the enclosure side wall comprising a ledgeextending outward from an enclosure wall adjacent a back edge of theenclosure wall, the ledge positioned adjacent a back side of the framewhen the enclosure is in its extended, in-use position and adjacent afront side of the base when in its collapsed, not-in-use position; andan aperture extending through the base sized large enough to receive aportion of an electrical device therethrough.
 4. The cover of claim 3,further comprising a base locking aperture extending through the base atan edge of the base and a lid locking aperture extending through the lidframe at an edge of the lid frame, wherein the lid locking aperture isaligned with the base locking aperture when the lid frame is in itsclosed position.
 5. The cover of claim 3, wherein a size of a perimeterof the lid frame is greater than a size of a perimeter of the base sothat the edge of the lid frame overlaps the edge of the base.
 6. A coverfor an electrical outlet, comprising: a base configured to couple to anelectrical outlet; only one lid frame hingedly coupled to the base alonga first side of the lid frame and pivotable on between an open positionand a closed position, the lid frame comprising a central aperturesurrounded by the lid frame; one enclosure movably coupled to the framewithin the central aperture and telescopingly movable within the lidframe between a collapsed, not-in-use position and an extended, in-useposition, wherein the enclosure comprises an enclosure side wallsurrounding the enclosure and an enclosure front wall enclosing thefront side of the enclosure, the enclosure side wall comprising a ledgeextending outward from an enclosure wall adjacent a back edge of theenclosure wall, the ledge positioned adjacent a back surface of theframe at the central aperture when the enclosure is in its extended,in-use position and adjacent a front surface of the base when in itscollapsed, not-in-use position; and an aperture extending through andsurrounded by the base, the aperture sized large enough to receive aportion of an electrical device therethrough.
 7. The cover of claim 6,further comprising a base locking aperture extending through the base atan edge of the base and a lid locking aperture extending through the lidframe at an edge of the lid frame, wherein the lid locking aperture isaligned with the base locking aperture when the lid frame is in itsclosed position.
 8. The cover of claim 6, wherein a size of a perimeterof the lid frame is greater than a size of a perimeter of the base sothat the edge of the lid frame overlaps the edge of the base.